PET owners who fail to clean up after their dogs will continue to be hit in the wallet.

That was the warning given by a senior councillor at the start of National Poop Scoop Week, in Middlesbrough, yesterday.

Twelve £50 fixed penalty fines have been issued by Middlesbrough Council community protection staff so far this year. Failure to pay could lead to a court appearance and a maximum £1,000 fine.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for community safety, said: "Dog fouling is anti-social and unpleasant and is easily avoidable. Everyone should carry a poop scoop when walking their dog and should never let their dog out on its own.

"Those people who don't heed this warning and are caught letting their dogs foul can count on community protection staff taking legal action against them."

An extensive micro-chipping and responsible dog ownership campaign has been carried out with the Dogs Trust, in Middlesbrough, over the past five years. The result has been a 25 per cent reduction in complaints about dog fouling.

There is a free micro chipping event in the town's Albert Park, on Thursday, from 10am to 3pm.

Community protection officers will attend a Dog Fun Day at Middlesbrough's Prissick Base, on Saturday, where free micro-chipping and poop scoops will be available.

Ten new dog waste bins are to be installed at dog fouling black spots across Middlesbrough.